ROME’S WELCOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 7

ROME’S WELCOME

MR CHAMBERLAIN ARRIVES MET BY ITALIAN LEADER HUGE CROWDS IN STREETS CONVERSATIONS OPENED 'United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) , ROME, Jan. 11. Mr Chamberlain arrived at the station at 3.25 p.m. Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano, attired in the uniforms of the Corporals of Honour, greeted him in an improvised beflowered and beflagged hall of honour and cordially welcomed him. Later Mr Chamberlain was acclaimed by 900 British residents from a special stand. A tremendous crowd cheered and cried; “Viva Chamberlain! Viva Halifax! ” The square and the neighbouring streets were lined with soldiers, Genoese cavalry, and armed Fascist youths. The cheering in the streets was continuous until the cavalcade crossed the river towards the beauti-fully-decorated Villa Madama. GUEST AT A BANQUET A DISTINGUISHED COMPANY (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Jan. 11. After signing the visitors’ book in the Quirnal, Mr Chamberlain went to the Palazzo Venezia for his conversation with Signor Mussolini, and Lord Halifax and Count Ciano met in the Palazzo Chigi. A banquet was held in the Palazzo Venezia in the evening, when a distinguished company was nresent. The latest Rome message states that the conversations lasted for an hour and 25 minutes. They will be resumed to-morrow. It is stated that the conversations were general in their scope and of a very cordial character.

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S POLICY FRIENDSHIP WITH ALL ROME, Jan. 11. “I come here in the pursuit of the policy for which I stand — a policy of friendship with all and enmity with none, a policy directed to a just and peaceful solution of international difficulties by the method of negotiation,” said Mr Chamberlain at the banquet.

He proceeded: “I am happy to think that our two Governments have been able to give concrete expression to this policy, for it was in this spirit that they concluded last spring the Anglo-Italian agreement, which has iust been put into force. It is noteworthy that, as one of the first fruits of the agreement, the two Governments were able yestei'day, both here and in London, to proceed to an exchange of military information for which the agreement provides. Convinced as we are that our interests in the Mediterranean, while of vital importance to us both, yet need in no way conflict with one another, we believe that the agreement has opened a new chapter of friendship and confidence between us which should be fruitful for the future stability of Europe.” Mr Chamberlain opened his speech with thanks for the warmth of the reception, and expressed pleasure at seeing with his own eyes a new Italy, powerful and progressive. He also expressed the indebtedness of all to Signor Mussolini for his help and co-operation “which contributed so decisively to the peaceful results at the Munich Conference.”